Is Ireland becoming a rugby powerhouse, or is it just a phase?

errlloyd

Pretty self explanatory thread title, but I'll give some background.

It seems we are producing the best players we have ever produced. Pundits and fans seem to agree that the "golden generation" may have actually just been the first generation of a "golden era". Although we haven't seen the results at a national level yet there is no need for deccie bashing, we get it in every thread. The evidence however is relatively clear.

The sports uptake has increased dramatically, while countries like Wales, Scotland and even England have flustered, Irish people are taking to the oval ball more and more, we're filling our stadiums, attendance in the last 10 years across Ireland has probably increased about 300%, despite probably a 100% increase in ticket prices?

The question I am getting to is simple. Is Ireland beginning to switch to Rugby. Is a combination of awful international form in Soccer, and tangible success in Rugby beginning to change the sporting priorities of this nation. Is the advent of professionalism luring GAA players with incredible skillsets into the game more than ever before. And does that mean in 10 or 20 years down the line we'll overtake the rest of the British Isles who don't seem to be developing at our rate, and become a team that sits pretty comfortably in the top 4 or 5 of the world rankings?

Or is club form allowing my imagination to run away.

NIMAN

It is definitely a great time for Irish rugby at present, although I always would be worried that the form of club sides and provinces never seems to translate itself into the national side. Hopefully that will change.

The sport is riding the crest of a wave and youngsters will no doubt be looking at it and wanting to emulate their heroes. You might find more schools started to play it, and this in turn will keep a stream of talent coming (hopefully again).

I don't think its success has anything to do with the soccer team not being successful for ages. Soccer will always be a massive draw for youngsters, thats the nature of it. Plus now with the Euro's, the future football stars of the LoI may be getting excited about Poland.

As to how all this will translate in the future, hard to call. Wales are currently on a resurgence too. Admittedly the Home Nations have been average in world terms in recent years, and to be fair to yoru question about being Top 4 or 5 in the world, you really only have to be the leading Six Nations team to achieve that ranking. Its usually safe to assume that the Southern Hemispshere 'Big 3' will always be in the top slots, but after that whoever is the best in the Six Nations really should be World No.4.

Its certainly an exciting time for Irish rugby. Lets see how we compete in NZ now.

godtabh

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

@OP

It's a cyclical thing imo, at the moment we're seeing a massive spin of the cycle as Munster head into a regenerative phase, and Ulster are on their way out of one, and Leinster are at the top of a wave.

Unfortunately our national squad has gone past the point of no return when you look at the game they play. It may have won England a World Cup, but the game has changed beyond belief since then. Munster, even without the problems of specific players missing, were also proponents of the game, and appeared to be trusting it, but it was taking them "down" with them. However, they have realised that it is not a game that will win Rugby, just "not lose by much" when you do get beaten.

The game's strategy is overwhelming at times. Defence coaches react to offence coaches who react to defence coaches who.....
Every so often, someone is going to "solve" the issue at hand, and by doing so create a whole lot of problems for some other coach. At the moment, in Leinster at least, there's a coaching ticket with a lot going right for them. At Munster, a new coaching ticket en route with fresh ideas, sure to scatter the pidgeons. At Ulster, the right gameplan, but not squad depth, their new coach will be trusted with pushing that game out to the nether parts of his squad.

[deccie bashing]
At Ireland there is a coaching ticket enjoying having their arses kissed by the media for winning a medal in 2009, beating a vastly inferior "old enemy" at home in 2011, and "triumphing" in the southern hemisphere at RWC. But beyond that, they have been passed by by the game, and are 'crippling' players with their leash-like gameplans. Ask Conor Murray why he kicks so much for Ireland, ask Sexton the same question. Ask D'Arcy why he looks to hit crash balls and then hit the deck without looking for an offload. Ask POC why he's first receiver for any and every ruck or maul that takes place within 5m of the touchline. Ask Tuohy what the **** else he has to do to get into the squad. Ask Declan what in the name of **** is he up to, and has he any idea that the laws of the game changed 3 years ago!?
[/deccie bashing]

@OP, there's an upsurge because we're seeing a lot of rugby these days, because we're doing well in a lot of rugby these days. The marketing at Connacht and Leinster in particular have been doing themselves absolute credit in getting the game into places that weren't considered strongholds.

In the main though, I think that rugby is slowly growing internationally too, and as a result, we're certain to see an upsurge in numbers here too, mainly due to the above fact, that we're actually quite good at it!

Boxing was massive when McGuigan won medals, swimming saw huge numbers when Smith took golds etc..

It is cyclical, the most important thing is to try to keep the transients interested beyond when the initial buzz wears off. If you can do that, you grow the sport massively!

JustinDee

godtabh wrote: »

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

A lot of people will, unless Ireland beat Spain.

shuffol

godtabh wrote: »

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

Will they? or will they just be content to watch the opposition try to play.

shuffol

shuffol wrote: »

Will they? or will they just be content to watch the opposition try to play.

lets not do this!

The difference in playing field is beyond massive.

Teferi

Soccer and rugby are two completely incomparable games. Can we please not sidetrack what could be an interesting discussion by bring soccer into it?

In any case, we won't be seen as a powerhouse until we start doing well internationally which we won't until there are some massive changes at a high level in the IRFU.

daddydick

Awful International form in Soccer? Are you for real? In the last 4 years Rep of Ireland have played 24 competitive fixtures, losing only 2 (both at home v France and Russia). I don't have enough fingers to count how many tests the Irish rugby team have lost in the last 4 years, guessing 15-20?

Despite playing a similar amount of games and being ranked in the top 8 in the world I don't see how losing so many games, while being in a 'golden generation' backs up your argument?

Tox56

They may be playing dire football with average players, but they are getting results. Something Kidney appears to aspire to, but can't get the results.

irishbucsfan

Dunno how anyone could look at our record under kidney and suggest we're in a golden generation

seanmc1980

look i have heard this argument for the last 10 year, "are ireland on a crest of a wave about to take over international rugby" well put simply no. and they never have or prob never will.
Peoplewill to understand Ireland have never dominated due to our small playing base We have had 2 successful club who's are a combination of home players and international palyers.
2 clubs. France have 14 england have 12, we cant compete with that player pool.

We are realistically joint 3rd if not 4th best team in the six nation now if we aren't near the best team in the northern hemi how can we even comprehend being on the same level as the southern hemi's
Lets aim improve our position in the 6 nations before we start saying we the best in the world

Monty Burnz

godtabh wrote: »

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

Yeah, but they'll most likely get hockied, or at best we'll get some 'moral victories' (draws). All the while playing a brand of football that makes me weep.

Tox56

seanmc1980 wrote: »

look i have heard this argument for the last 10 year, "are ireland on a crest of a wave about to take over international rugby" well put simply no. and they never have or prob never will.
Peoplewill to understand Ireland have never dominated due to our small playing base We have had 2 successful club who's are a combination of home players and international palyers.
2 clubs. France have 14 england have 12, we cant compete with that player pool.

We are realistically joint 3rd if not 4th best team in the six nation now if we aren't near the best team in the northern hemi how can we even comprehend being on the same level as the southern hemi's
Lets aim improve our position in the 6 nations before we start saying we the best in the world

Well Leinster are the best team in Europe, so maybe we should get a new coach, and our position in world and European international rugby will start to improve.

Who cares how many players and clubs other countries have, we have the talent available we just aren't using it.

JustinDee

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Yeah, but they'll most likely get hockied, or at best we'll get some 'moral victories' (draws). All the while playing a brand of football that makes me weep.

If they win, nobody will give a stuff how they did it and that suits me just fine.

JustinDee

JustinDee wrote: »

If they win, nobody will give a stuff how they did it and that suits me just fine.

because we don't have the players to play any other brand of football.

This is what doesn't apply to the rugby team though...

Paddys Wigwam

What exactly is a "rugby powerhouse"? Is this one of those cliches like "world class"?

Also, considering the game is played well by possibly 8 nations, ireland getting to the euros is as good an achievement as Ireland winning the 6 nations. (I dont really like soccer by the way.)

Rugby is popular in Ireland cos we win sometimes (mainly when other countries are not going great) and its a great session in some of the best european cities. All the bandagon stuff (such as quotes above) wrecks my tits and its embarrassing in such a small pool of competitive countries we have never beaten new zealand.

Balmed Out

Irish teams have an unfair advantage in the Heineken cup and while I think Leinster may be the best team in Europe I really wouldnt put any money on it if they were to have the chance of proving it by way of a league with all the major European clubs. Our national team doesnt underperform, we just read too much into club victories.
Were not really the rugby lovers some think we are. Watch the atmosphere and the excitement already around euro 2012 and its already in a different league to something like the rugby world cup. At the end of the day soccer is THE world sport and rugby can never hope to match it.

Leinster have a world class rugby team in a similar manner to Dublin having a world class hurling team.

shootermacg

Paddys Wigwam wrote: »

What exactly is a "rugby powerhouse"? Is this one of those cliches like "world class"?

Also, considering the game is played well by possibly 8 nations, ireland getting to the euros is as good an achievement as Ireland winning the 6 nations. (I dont really like soccer by the way.)

Rugby is popular in Ireland cos we win sometimes (mainly when other countries are not going great) and its a great session in some of the best european cities. All the bandagon stuff (such as quotes above) wrecks my tits and its embarrassing in such a small pool of competitive countries we have never beaten new zealand.

+1 10 chars!

Tox56

Balmed Out wrote: »

Irish teams have an unfair advantage in the Heineken cup and while I think Leinster may be the best team in Europe I really wouldnt put any money on it if they were to have the chance of proving it by way of a league with all the major European clubs. Our national team doesnt underperform, we just read too much into club victories.
Were not really the rugby lovers some think we are. Watch the atmosphere and the excitement already around euro 2012 and its already in a different league to something like the rugby world cup. At the end of the day soccer is THE world sport and rugby can never hope to match it.

Leinster have a world class rugby team in a similar manner to Dublin having a world class hurling team.

Who proclaims us to be rugby lovers? Obviously soccer is the most popular sport here and everywhere else in the world by a country mile.

The Leinster Dublin comparison is deeply flawed, and I don't think I need to explain why.

JustinDee

Balmed Out wrote: »

Leinster have a world class rugby team in a similar manner to Dublin having a world class hurling team.

What utter rubbish and an obvious pot-stir.

This thread has now turned into some bullsh rugby union v soccer diatribe. Won't last long...

Balmed Out

Balmed Out wrote: »

Leinster have a Top class rugby team in a similar manner to Kilkenny having a Top class hurling team.

this is actually a surprisingly good comparison. There's probably ~ 30ish teams that could be playing competitive rugby at the highest levels week in week out.

However, where your analysis is massively flawed is in saying that we place overconfidence in the club results.

If there was an interprovincial hurling competition, and Leinster were beaten by Ulster Connacht and Munster, without too much hassle, even though they were able to select from a Kilkenny team that had beaten allcomers soundly time and time again, then surely there would be a problem?

I hate seeing people simply dismiss our chances as we are a small island / playerbase etc. We are actually one of only what, 22 countries in the world that have underage, school, youth, club, province and national squads for the game of rugby. We are massive underachievers when you compare the resources and performances of our constituent parts.

seanmc1980

Tox56 wrote: »

Well Leinster are the best team in Europe, so maybe we should get a new coach, and our position in world and European international rugby will start to improve.

Who cares how many players and clubs other countries have, we have the talent available we just aren't using it.

lol yes lensiter are the best team in europe, but chelsea are the best team in europe, does this make England the best team in the world. hell Eire Og from carlow got to like 5 all ireland club championship fianal in teh 90s. does this make carlow the best inter county team of the period.

Cop on typical bandwagen armchair fan, you do understand that having 14 clubs to choose a hooker from is better than 2??

Tox56

seanmc1980 wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Well Leinster are the best team in Europe, so maybe we should get a new coach, and our position in world and European international rugby will start to improve.

Who cares how many players and clubs other countries have, we have the talent available we just aren't using it.

lol yes lensiter are the best team in europe, but chelsea are the best team in europe, does this make England the best team in the world. hell Eire Og from carlow got to like 5 all ireland club championship fianal in teh 90s. does this make carlow the best inter county team of the period.

Cop on typical bandwagen armchair fan, you do understand that having 14 clubs to choose a hooker from is better than 2??

I think that post reveals more about you than it does about me. Do you have anything constructive to add other than hurling insults?

leftleg

seanmc1980 wrote: »

you do understand that having 14 clubs to choose a hooker from is better than 2??

Like Englands queue of quality hookers; Dylan Hartley not included as he is from NZ so; next

Balmed Out

Im not trying to derail the thread but making the point that rugby isnt a very competitive game, there are only a dozen nations to play at a high level. To be considered a powerhouse you would need to be a killkenny, tip or cork in hurling terms.
One thing I never understand with our national team is they never seem to gel very well. When so many of them play for 2 provincial teams yould think they would do so better.

Bluefoam

Tox56 wrote: »

Who proclaims us to be rugby lovers? Obviously soccer is the most popular sport here and everywhere else in the world by a country mile.

The Leinster Dublin comparison is deeply flawed, and I don't think I need to explain why.

Funny, all I hear about are soccer clubs going into administration & empty stands at both club and international games.

The IRFU have payed off their debt on Lansdown Road, by selling seats to games. The FAI have barely made a mark in their debt...

Soccer is far down the scale of popular Irish sports, I guess at the most popular in order of spectators watching matches in Ireland as: Gaeilic Football, Hurling, Rugby, Soccer...

Rugby has always had a dedicated following, but since establishing the professional game, they have managed to achieve success on the pitch, but have also managed to promote the game to a wider audience, breaking down previously held stereotypes about who played & supported the game. I wouldn't say that Ireland are a powerhouse, but are definately top class nation & very well respected in the world game from both a club and international point of view.

Soccer in Ireland has stagnated and offers little to the average supporter in terms of aspiration of playing or quality of spectatorship. Its a sad indictment of the game, when Irish youth primarily support English clubs & have no interest in the domestic game.

How do you measure popularity...?

Tox56

Tox56 wrote: »

Well Leinster are the best team in Europe, so maybe we should get a new coach, and our position in world and European international rugby will start to improve.

We read too much into the form of the provinces.

1) we split our national team into 2.5 teams. England and France split theirs into 12 or so.

2) the welsh and the french don't care. for welsh fans Wales are their team, their clubs are made-up feeder clubs. I'm not suggesting the players aren't trying, but they don't have the same intensity. ditto the French. ask any French player if he wants to win the league or the HC and he'll say the former.

3) the fact that our provinces are basically guaranteed qualification every year means they can focus solely on the HC. not the case for the English and French teams.

all that said, Leinster are an outstanding rugby team and Ireland are under-performing under the current management, no question.

Bluefoam

Bluefoam wrote: »

How do you measure popularity...?

numbers of players, numbers of supporters, numbers of contributing supporters (paying money to see games etc), numbers of games played in country per year etc.

In all of these metrics, Soccer will be miles ahead!

Tox56

Orinoco wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Well Leinster are the best team in Europe, so maybe we should get a new coach, and our position in world and European international rugby will start to improve.

We read too much into the form of the provinces.

1) we split our national team into 2.5 teams. England and France split theirs into 12 or so.

2) the welsh and the french don't care. for welsh fans Wales are their team, their clubs are made-up feeder clubs. I'm not suggesting the players aren't trying, but they don't have the same intensity. ditto the French. ask any French player if he wants to win the league or the HC and he'll say the former.

3) the fact that our provinces are basically guaranteed qualification every year means they can focus solely on the HC. not the case for the English and French teams.

all that said, Leinster are an outstanding rugby team and Ireland are under-performing under the current management, no question.

I don't expect us to be New Zealand, but Wales split into 4 teams same as we do and reached a WC Semi and won a Grand Slam, the 'intensity' argument holds no water and has no real foundation, they simply aren't the same players.

Ireland have the quality of players to challenge the best (in Europe at least), they might not dominate like Leinster, but they should be performing far better than they have.

And don't tell me Clermont didn't give 100% in that Semi and the supporters weren't interested, their reaction at the final whistle tells you everything.

justsomebloke

Ok in the actual context of the thread I have no issue with valid comparisons to other sports being made, however if anyone starts taking cheap pop shots at ANY sport they will be infracted or banned.

seanmc1980

leftleg wrote: »

Like Englands queue of quality hookers; Dylan Hartley not included as he is from NZ so; next

England still constantly kick irelands ass and preform better at world cups no???

Tox56

seanmc1980 wrote: »

leftleg wrote: »

Like Englands queue of quality hookers; Dylan Hartley not included as he is from NZ so; next

England still constantly kick irelands ass and preform better at world cups no???

Do you actually know the answer to that first question?

eyescreamcone

Why wouldn't Ireland be a rugby powerhouse?
To get into the top 10 in the world all you have to do is turn up.
Are we close to getting to a WC semi?
No closer than ever before in my opinion.

We will continue to do well in the "club" rugby as we have a huge advantage.
1. The 3 Irish provinces are practically guarrenteed a place in the H Cup.
2. The gerrymandering that that is our provincial system - where the players are contracted by the IRFU and the number of teams is kept small in order to pool resources is a big leg up on other countries.

When we step up to international rugby our advantage is lost and results show that this is the case.

More people are playing rugby but for the vast majority soccer will always be number 1.
The H Cup Final was on last saturday, and while there was some interest in an All-Ireland HCup Final the game that started after it in Munich was much more anticipated and viewed, even though there was no Irish team or players involved.
I watched both but if there was a clash I'd have watched the soccer.

bilston

Deleted User wrote: »

We read too much into the form of the provinces.

1) we split our national team into 2.5 teams. England and France split theirs into 12 or so.

2) the welsh and the french don't care. for welsh fans Wales are their team, their clubs are made-up feeder clubs. I'm not suggesting the players aren't trying, but they don't have the same intensity. ditto the French. ask any French player if he wants to win the league or the HC and he'll say the former.

3) the fact that our provinces are basically guaranteed qualification every year means they can focus solely on the HC. not the case for the English and French teams.

all that said, Leinster are an outstanding rugby team and Ireland are under-performing under the current management, no question.

Who are the 2.5 teams that we split our national side into? Last time I looked there were four Irish provinces and Tommy Bowe played for a fifth side outside of Ireland. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I'd be very surprised if the bulk of the England team didn't come from Leicester, Harlequins, Northampton and Saracens. NZ's team comes from 5 sides, and it's the same in Australia and SA. The French seems to spread the love around a bit but they tend make some bizarre selections.

I don't think the number of provinces we have should have any bearing on our international form in comparison to other countries.

leftleg

seanmc1980 wrote: »

England still constantly kick irelands ass and preform better at world cups no???

Knocked out in the QF stage as were Ireland in the RWC; Beat us in twickenham this year in the 6N for the first time since 2008; where have you been?

seanmc1980

Tox56 wrote: »

Do you actually know the answer to that first question?

what question?
are you still harping on about lenister being best in europe and ireland should be the best in europe cos of this? blame all the coaches u want for irelands lack of success but its the 15 players who take the pitch who simply as a group are the 4th best team in europe.

eyescreamcone

eyescreamcone wrote: »

The H Cup Final was on last saturday, and while there was some interest in an All-Ireland HCup Final the game that started after it in Munich was much more anticipated and viewed, even though there was no Irish team or players involved.

There were more people at the Heineken Cup final, a match on foreign soil then there were that turned up for the victory parade for the Champions League final, a parade that took place in the heart of the fanbase.

80k people were at the HEC final. That's a significant amount of Irish Rugby fans (even if we allocate 25% of the fans as neutral / not influenced).

Tox56

Tox56 wrote: »

I don't expect us to be New Zealand, but Wales split into 4 teams same as we do and reached a WC Semi and won a Grand Slam, the 'intensity' argument holds no water and has no real foundation, they simply aren't the same players.

But that's what I am saying! You can only judge the Welsh game on the performances of their national side, because that's what they care about. I've lost count of the number of times someone has told me we should beat them because our provinces beat their clubs. It doesn't follow.

"Wales" are their team. George North has played more times for Wales than for Scarlets, which tells you something.

Tox56

Orinoco wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

I don't expect us to be New Zealand, but Wales split into 4 teams same as we do and reached a WC Semi and won a Grand Slam, the 'intensity' argument holds no water and has no real foundation, they simply aren't the same players.

But that's what I am saying! You can only judge the Welsh game on the performances of their national side, because that's what they care about. I've lost count of the number of times someone has told me we should beat them because our provinces beat their clubs. It doesn't follow.

"Wales" are their team. George North has played more times for Wales than for Scarlets, which tells you something.

Take a step back and look at the quality of players we have at our disposal, we shouldn't be entitled to beat them solely because our provinces are doing well.

We should be doing well because we have the quality of players available.

bilston

bilston wrote: »

Who are the 2.5 teams that we split our national side into? Last time I looked there were four Irish provinces and Tommy Bowe played for a fifth side outside of Ireland. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I'd be very surprised if the bulk of the England team didn't come from Leicester, Harlequins, Northampton and Saracens. NZ's team comes from 5 sides, and it's the same in Australia and SA. The French seems to spread the love around a bit but they tend make some bizarre selections.

I don't think the number of provinces we have should have any bearing on our international form in comparison to other countries.

We can have a great national team from 2.5 provinces, that's not my point. My point is that our provinces outperform some of their foreign equivalents because we concentrate talent at club level in a way that England and France don't.

To take it to the extreme, if England decided they had only one "province" with all their players plus some foreign talent, and entered it into the HC, they would probably win it - and you'd have English fans wondering why they can't translate that form into the international game.

2.5 provinces equals Leinster, Munster, and Ulster (.5)

Tox56

seanmc1980 wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Do you actually know the answer to that first question?

what question?
are you still harping on about lenister being best in europe and ireland should be the best in europe cos of this? blame all the coaches u want for irelands lack of success but its the 15 players who take the pitch who simply as a group are the 4th best team in europe.

The one about England 'consistently kicking our ass', our competitive record against them is something like winning 6 of the last 8.

leftleg

seanmc1980 wrote: »

what question?
blame all the coaches u want for irelands lack of success but its the 15 players who take the pitch who simply as a group are the 4th best team in europe.

Explain Leinster's continued success at Rabo and provincial level so with pretty much an all Irish team and a different coach to the Irish international setup with nearly all of the same players and a different coach??

seanmc1980

leftleg wrote: »

Knocked out in the QF stage as were Ireland in the RWC; Beat us in twickenham this year in the 6N for the first time since 2008; where have you been?

six nations victorys
france 5
Enland 4
Wales 3
Ireland 1

see a thrend? 4th best as i have always said.

Nuttzz

Greetings from the bandwagon!

I must admit I am a recent convert to Rugby, and I have to say I find it a much more enjoyable sport to watch than soccer or GAA. The physical aspect of it is great however it is the discipline of the players and the way the matches are refereed that really impress. Very little of the back chat (e.g. Andy Carroll always seems to be telling the ref to f**k off when a decision goes against him) or the histrionics on the ground like they are dying when a soccer player feels a touch behind him.

I cant really comment if Ireland is becoming a powerhouse, but I think the weaknesses of some other sports is to Rubgy's benefit. More and more kids seem to be playing the game which bodes well for the future, unlike when Rugby was banned in as "foreign sport" in my CBS. Them days it was GAA or nothing.

Bluefoam

eyescreamcone wrote: »

The gerrymandering that that is our provincial system - where the players are contracted by the IRFU and the number of teams is kept small in order to pool resources is a big leg up on other countries.

Ireland has 4 top tier teams over a population of less than 5.5million. England has 55million population & 14 top tier teams - that would suggest that England would have a huge advantage in terms of the scale of the pool of players available & in lower tier clubs developing players to feed into the system...

Tox56

Tox56 wrote: »

Take a step back and look at the quality of players we have at our disposal, we shouldn't be entitled to beat them solely because our provinces are doing well.

We should be doing well because we have the quality of players available.

Where do you form the opinion about their quality?

A fair few Irish players have been over-hyped based on provincial form.

Tox56

Orinoco wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Take a step back and look at the quality of players we have at our disposal, we shouldn't be entitled to beat them solely because our provinces are doing well.

We should be doing well because we have the quality of players available.

Where do you form the opinion about their quality?

A fair few Irish players have been over-hyped based on provincial form.

That's your opinion, but I'm confident we can somehow find 15 quality players from all 3 provinces + Tommy Bowe.

This whole debate centres around this opinion and clearly I won't convince you otherwise, so we will have to agree to disagree.

Just out of interest, who are these players?

eyescreamcone

Deleted User wrote: »

There were more people at the Heineken Cup final, a match on foreign soil then there were that turned up for the victory parade for the Champions League final, a parade that took place in the heart of the fanbase.

80k people were at the HEC final. That's a significant amount of Irish Rugby fans (even if we allocate 25% of the fans as neutral / not influenced).

Not foreign to the Ulster fans though!!!
80k is a significant number for any final.
Small counties regularly drum up these numbers for an all-ireland final.

But please do not compare the HCup with the Champions League.
You are not comparing like with like.
Bayern had over 1 million tickets requests for the final.
The CL is a different animal altogether.

JustinDee

Nuttzz wrote: »

Greetings from the bandwagon!

I must admit I am a recent convert to Rugby, and I have to say I find it a much more enjoyable sport to watch than soccer or GAA.

Never feel in any way inferior to any other flipping so-called fan just because you are new to the sport.
Every sport NEEDS a bandwagon and as I always say, a newcomer's money and support is just as worthy and welcome as that of someone who considers themselves deep-set as a core supporter.
People who look down on new supporters or gauge them in a mental measurement of worthiness really boil my blood, especially at games themselves.

Tox56

eyescreamcone wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

There were more people at the Heineken Cup final, a match on foreign soil then there were that turned up for the victory parade for the Champions League final, a parade that took place in the heart of the fanbase.

80k people were at the HEC final. That's a significant amount of Irish Rugby fans (even if we allocate 25% of the fans as neutral / not influenced).

Not foreign to the Ulster fans though!!!
80k is a significant number for any final.
Small counties can drum up these numbers for an all-ireland final.

But please do not compare the HCup with the Champions League.
You are not comparing like with like.
Bayern had over 1 million tickets requests for the final.
The CL is a different animal altogether.

You were making the comparison?